The IET are seeking a Head of Communications to be responsible for developing and delivering an integrated communications and public affairs strategy for the organisation, incorporating creative and effective internal and external communications.

You will make a significant contribution to raising the visibility of the IET and engineering, through external stakeholder management activity, particularly with the media, government, industry and academia. The Head of Communications will ensure proactive and timely communications to keep staff and members engaged with the IET’s work – including its mission, vision and values.

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrable track record in a senior communications and public affairs role, with experience of managing and motivating a team. The Head of Communications will have a track record of developing effective communications strategies, including public engagement campaigns. The successful candidate will have significant experience across digital and social media, PR, media relations, internal communications, public affairs, policy and external stakeholder engagement. You will also have experience working in a public sector, non-profit or charity contexts.

The Head of Communications manages a small communications team of six people: External Communications Manager, Internal Communications Manager, Public Affairs Lead, Communications Executive, Marketing Manager, and Diversity and Inclusion Manager.

Main Duties and Responsibilities (summary):

Build and maintain the IET’s reputation and influence with key external stakeholders

Design and manage a communications and public affairs strategy to meet the IET vision and strategy and to engage, influence and impact national debates around engineering-related topics eg. skills and education, transport, industrial strategy

Enhance stakeholder awareness and understanding of the IET as a leading, impartial and authoritative voice on engineering and technology

Develop and implement an integrated communications strategy and activity plan, including strong digital and social media elements

Provide communications advice, support and training for the President, Chief Executive and other senior staff and volunteers

Work closely with the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships team to ensure a strategic and effective approach to public affairs and industry engagement

Work closely with, the Heads of Marketing and others on major corporate initiatives

Lead, manage and develop the IET communications team

Line management responsibility for marketing support for industry and political engagement, fundraising, volunteer support and specific communication outreach campaigns

Line management responsibility the IET’s diversity and inclusion strategy

Develop and deliver stakeholder communications plans, together with key messages about what the IET represents and its activities

Manage creative agencies, including to deliver a high-profile campaign to promote engineering careers to parents and children

Champion consistency across all communications within the organisation ensuring that all communications are compliant with the house style

Act as a media spokesperson for the IET, where appropriate – and build strong working relationship with key journalists and media